Former Campbell Businessman Pleads Guilty to $137,000 Tax Evasion

Stephen Joseph Heuer, a former Campbell man who sold nutritional supplements, pleaded guilty in San Jose federal court last week to setting up a fake religious ministry to avoid paying $136,552 of taxes.

Heuer, who moved to South Carolina, sold products under the name Cocoon Nutrition in Cupertino and Campbell. He set up a religious organization called Alchemy Ministries in Washington State to concel $381,182 of taxable income, according to prosecutors.

Heuer will be sentenced Dec. 9 by Judge Edward J. Davila. The maximum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 plus restitution.